In response to “Some job hunter biases are just a joke” (brw.com.au, January 23), by Fiona Smith highlighting the discrimination faced by unemployed people seeking a job.

It is difficult for young people trying to get their first job but even more so for the older workers who are mostly passed over due to their age. The benefits of older workers are well documented, however despite this they are streets behind in the job seeking stakes.There is no single answer to this type of mentality. While it is an employer’s market, these illogical judgements will be made about jobseekers.

There’s no mention as to what happens when people have been unemployed long-term (nine years in my case) due to other factors such as mental illness.

When they are ready to work again (and in the meantime, they, too, can develop some serious skills, discover their talents and undertake study), it is next to impossible for them to find a job.

I am terrified at the thought of remaining on the pension for the rest of my life. I am 34 and I have much to offer, yet no-one will even consider me due to the fact that I haven’t worked in nine years, never even mind the reasons why.

It is wrong when society holds people’s past against them. We should look at people for what they are now. I have spent my entire life trying to climb out of the poverty trap that I was raised in and have never managed to make it.

All I need is for someone to give me a fair go. All I need is for someone to be willing to train me and allow me to start off slowly (part-time/casual).

I am a fast learner and quite capable, yet no-one will even be prepared to take a risk so they can find that out.

And I’m not the only one who is in this situation. There are millions like me, and that’s a sad thing indeed.

Over-45 jobseekers have it particularly tough. The average duration of unemployment for 45-54 year olds is 52 weeks, rising to 75 weeks for those aged 55 and over, more than twice the average duration of unemployment for those under 45. Yet these workers can reward employers with significant benefits, including longer tenure, great experience and internal mentoring capabilities for younger staff. Employers risk missing out on great talent if showing a preference to employed persons only.

Where am I?

In response to “Riding the rise of Australia Day” (brw.com.au, January 25), by Rebecca Huntley on the resurgent popularity of making patriotic displays on Australia Day.

I suspect you deliberately avoided the word “jingoism”. The rise of Oz Day is defence of inflated entitlement ... Actually, Oz day does come in handy. I’m always forgetting what country I’m in...